Back to Basics: Hats

Step into the world of hat knitting with Back to Basics: Hats—a beginner-friendly pattern designed to help you build confidence while creating a classic, cosy beanie. This simple yet essential design introduces you to the beauty of stockinette stitch in the round, offering a smooth and meditative knitting experience.

Whether you’re picking up needles for the first time or looking for a relaxing, fuss-free project, this pattern gently guides you through the process of shaping a perfectly snug hat from brim to crown. With clear instructions and an approachable construction, you’ll gain valuable skills that lay the foundation for future knitting adventures.

Embrace the joy of handmade warmth and watch as your stitches come together to create a timeless, everyday accessory. Knit one for yourself, gift one to a friend, or use this as the perfect canvas for experimenting with colours and embellishments. Back to Basics: Hats is more than just a pattern—it’s your gateway to the wonderful world of knitwear!

Pattern Notes for Back to Basics: Hats

Worked from the bottom up, this versatile hat pattern allows you to craft a perfectly fitting hat seamlessly in the round. The construction involves starting with the brim, progressing to the body, and culminating with shaping the crown. As you approach the final stages of the crown, you’ll need to switch from using 16” / 40 cm circular needles to either the magic loop method or double-pointed needles, depending on your preference for tackling smaller circumferences.

Create a project page for your project here on Ravelry!

I can’t wait to see your Back to Basics: Hats come to life! Share your WIPs and FOs on social media using #rhyFlowerBlog and #BackToBasics—let’s celebrate your creativity together! 

Tips & Tricks

For helpful resources on hat knitting, please visit; https://rhyflowerknits.com/hats/

Pattern Support for Back to Basics: Hats

Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/

Skill Level

Beginner

Size Information 

Baby [Toddler, Child/Teen, Adult, Large Adult]
16 [18, 20, 22, 24]” / 40.5 [45.5, 51, 56, 61] cm — adult sizes are in bold throughout the pattern to help differentiate the multiple sizes.

Finished Measurements

14 [16, 18, 20, 22]” / 35 [40, 45, 50, 55] cm circumference — select a size from the finished measurements that is 1-3” / 2.5-7.5 cm smaller than your head circumference. This hat is worn with negative ease. 6.5 [7.25, 8, 9, 10]” / 16.5 [18.5, 20.5, 23, 25.5] cm in height.

Notions

Tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure, stitch marker (1), pompom (optional)

Suggested Needles

Brim: US3 (3.25 mm) 16” / 40 cm circular needles, or one size smaller than needles used for gauge

Body: US4 (3.5 mm) 16” / 40 cm circular needles, or the size required to get gauge

Crown: Same needle size as the body using preferred needles for a small circumference (magic loop or double-pointed needles)

Yarn Requirements

MC: 60 [78, 92, 125, 158] yd / 55 [71, 84, 114, 144] m DK weight yarn

CC: 15 [20, 29, 32, 41] yd / 14 [18, 27, 29, 37] m DK weight yarn

Suggested Yarn

Turtlepurl Yarn — DK Striped Turtle Toes
75% Superwash Merino 25% Nylon
245 yd (224 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: Trenchcoat
https://turtlepurl.com/

Gauge

24 stitches by 28 rounds in stockinette on larger needles = 4” / 10 cm, after blocking. Gauge is crucial in obtaining the correct fit. Changes in gauge will cause a size difference for both your finished hat and the yardage requirements for your project.

Abbreviations used in Back to Basics: Hats

*: Repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed.

”: Inch(es).

BOR: Beginning of round.

CC: Contrast colour.

Dec: Decrease.

G: Gram(s).

K: Knit.

K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec)

M: Metre(s).

MC: Main colour.

Mm: Millimetre(s).

Oz: Ounce(s).

P: Purl.

Rep: Repeat.

St (Sts): Stitch(es).

Yd: Yard(s).

Directions for Back to Basics: Hats

Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on and your smaller needles, cast on 84 [96, 108, 120, 132] stitches with CC. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR and join to work in the round, ensuring not to twist. 

Brim 

The brim of a hat, often referred to as the hat’s “edge” or “rim,” is the horizontal band that encircles the base of the hat and rests against the wearer’s forehead. Serving both functional and aesthetic purposes, the brim plays a pivotal role in defining the hat’s style and providing protection from the elements. 

Continue with smaller needles.

Round 1: *K1, p1; rep from * across round.

Continue working Round 1 until the piece measures 1.25 [1.5, 2, 2, 2.25]” / 3 [4, 5, 5, 5.5] cm, measured from the cast-on edge. Cut CC.

Body 

This section of the hat extends from the brim to the crown, encompassing the area that envelops the wearer’s head. Crafted with precision and style, the body of a hat offers ample room for artistic expression, while also ensuring warmth, comfort, and a snug fit. 

Switch to your larger needles and join MC.

Round 1: Knit across round.

Continue working Round 1 until the piece measures 4 [4.75, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5]” / 10 [12, 14, 16.5, 19] cm, measured from the cast-on edge, or until the piece measures 2.5” / 6.5 cm less than your desired length.

Crown 

The crown of a hat, often referred to as the “top” or “head” of the hat, is the central and typically rounded portion that covers the crown of the wearer’s head. It’s the last step of the knitting, where all the stitches and shaping techniques converge to create the hat’s distinctive shape.

When the crown becomes too challenging to work on circular needles, switch to magic loop or double-pointed needles.

Round 1: *K10, k2tog; rep from * across round. 77 [88, 99, 110, 121] sts

Round 2: Knit across round.

Round 3: *K9, k2tog; rep from * across round. 70 [80, 90, 100, 110] sts

Round 4: Knit across round.

Round 5: *K8, k2tog; rep from * across round. 63 [72, 81, 90, 99] sts

Round 6: Knit across round.

Round 7: *K7, k2tog; rep from * across round. 56 [64, 72, 80, 88] sts

Round 8: Knit across round.

Round 9: *K6, k2tog; rep from * across round. 49 [56, 63, 70, 77] sts

Round 10: Knit across round.

Round 11: *K5, k2tog; rep from * across round. 42 [48, 54, 60, 66] sts

Round 12: Knit across round.

Round 13: *K4, k2tog; rep from * across round. 35 [40, 45, 50, 55] sts

Round 14: Knit across round.

Round 15: *K3, k2tog; rep from * across round. 28 [32, 36, 40, 44] sts

Round 16: *K2, k2tog; rep from * across round. 21 [24, 27, 30, 33] sts

Round 17: *K1, k2tog; rep from * across round. 14 [16, 18, 20, 22] sts

Round 18: *K2tog; rep from * across round. 7 [8, 9, 10, 11] sts

Cinching the Crown 

Cut yarn, leaving a 6” / 15 cm tail, for closing the crown and weaving in. With your tapestry needle, run the yarn through your remaining stitches and pull gently to cinch the crown of your hat.

Finishing your Back to Basics: Hats

Weave in all your ends, then soak your hat in water for 20 minutes using a gentle soap or wool wash. Use a balloon, mannequin head, or lay your hat flat to block it while drying. Allow the hat to fully air dry. Once dry, attach a pompom if desired.

Now, with your beautiful new hat, go forth and make a stylish statement! ♥